Apple releases iOS 7.0.2 update to fix lock-screen security bug

Apple has released an update to its iOS 7 operating system that fixes a bug that allows hackers to bypass a user’s lock screen.

The 21MB download “fixes bugs that could allow someone to bypass the lock screen passcode,” according to the software update description. It also reintroduces the Greek keyboard option for passcode entry.

The new Control Center within iOS 7 allows for easy access to frequently used features like the clock, flashlight, calculator, and camera. Unfortunately, it also means that anybody with access to your phone can use the Control Center to bypass the lock screen and get partial access to your data.

Rubenking walked readers through how to bypass that lock-screen setting, which was discovered by Jose Rodriguez, a 36-year-old soldier living in Spain’s Canary Islands. “The iOS 7 hack is really simple; I mastered it in a few minutes,” Rubenking said.

Apple soon caught on, however, and promised a fix, which has now arrived. To update, navigate on your iOS device to Settings > General > Software Update, or plug your gadget into a PC and update via iTunes.

iOS 7 made its debut on 18 September. It is available as a free upgrade for the iPhone 4 and above, iPad 2 and above, iPad mini, and fifth-generation iPod touch. It also comes pre-installed on the new iPhone 5S and 5C. Apple revealed this week that more than 200 million iOS devices now have the upgraded OS installed.

According to data from security firm Blue Coat, the iOS 7 update “created a major traffic jam on the Web.” Blue Coat said its customers typically see Apple.com traffic make up less than four per cent of their traffic. On 18 September it jumped to 13 per cent and in at least one case, to 32 per cent of total web traffic.

“As of June, Apple had sold 600 million iOS devices – 93 percent of which were running the latest software – iOS 6. Rabid fans. Check. Large file download. Check,” the firm wrote in a blog post. “It’s no surprise that Apple’s servers couldn’t keep pace.”